Comments Off on Dubai-based firm to construct world’s first 3D-printed skyscraper

3D printing could soar to new heights with the construction of the first 3D-printed skyscraper in the world. Dubai -based firm Cazza recently announced they aim to print the high-rise in the United Arab Emirates . They will draw on a novel construction technique known as crane printing. To print their ambitious skyscraper, Cazza will draw on cranes with added units designed for constructing 3D-printed buildings higher than 262 feet. It’s not yet known how tall the skyscraper will be. The company’s CEO Chris Kelsey said when they started their company, they focused on 3D-printing low-rise structures or houses, but developers kept asking about skyscrapers, so they decided to adapt their technology to reach higher. Related: Three-mile-high futuristic skyscraper has a smog-eating, self-cleaning coating The crane printing process includes all the major structural components needed by towering buildings, according to Construction Week Online. Current construction methods will complete the rest of the building. Mechanical engineer Xavier Hernand said there are vast possibilities for what kind of materials they could use, including steel or concrete . Cazza Chief Operating Officer Fernando De Los Rios said, “The crane printing system can be easily adopted with existing cranes which means we don’t have to build cranes from scratch. We are adding new features to make it adaptable to high wind speeds along with the use of our layer smoothing system that creates completely flat surfaces. You won’t know it’s 3D printed.” Cazza gained notice for blending mobile 3D printing robots with existing building methods to speed up construction processes and make them more cost effective and environmentally friendly. Kelsey said, “Through our technologies, we will be able to build architecturally complex buildings at never-before-seen speeds. It is all about economies of scale where the initial high technology costs will reduce as we enter the mass production phase.” The company has not yet announced a start date for the skyscraper construction. + Cazza Via Construction Week Online Images via Pexels and Good Free Photos

Comments Off on The world’s first analog 3D printer powered by gravity and weights

The 3D printer has a 22lb. weight that is lifted to turn the machine on. The shape of an aluminum wire attached to the machine determines the outline of the 3D printed object. The wire can be modified for each print, allowing different variations of shapes and volumes. Although de Bruin’s 3D-printed objects seem a bit rudimentary, a completely mechanical 3D printer is a great alternative to the computerized and automated world we live in. Related: BigDelta machine 3D-prints durable, affordable houses from dirt The design also allows the designer to be involved throughout the 3D printing process, which is less possible with a machine powered by electricity. By physically building and powering the machine, the artist feels a greater sense of accomplishment about the resulting objects. + Daniel de Bruin Via Design Milk

Comments Off on Dutch architect reveals 6.5-foot-long 3D printer for ‘endless’ Mbius house

Back in 2013, Dutch architect Janjaap Ruijssenaars of Universe Architecture revealed an ambitious goal : to 3D-print a house in the shape of a Möbius strip . Ruijssenaars has taken another step towards transforming that vision into reality, recently revealing the 3D-printer he will use to create the ‘endless’ Landscape House . As a result of using the 3D-printer instead of other construction techniques, the house will reportedly be more environmentally friendly. Ruijssenaars said of his building’s design , “Planet Earth doesn’t have a beginning or an ending and we were looking for a shape that has the same quality.” He settled on a Möbius strip to fulfill his vision for a house without beginning or end. Mathematician Rinus Roelofs helped with the design. Related: WATG unveils plans for the world’s first freeform 3D-printed house Now the team has unveiled the 6.5-foot 3D-printer invented by Enrico Dini to fabricate Landscape House. The D-Shape printer can print squares that are close to 20-feet by 20-feet . Universe Architecture teamed up with construction company BAM to test the printer in an Amsterdam warehouse. Rutgerr Sypkens of BAM told AFP the 3D printer should allow them to print faster and should make less mistakes as well. He said the printer will allow the house to be more “environmentally friendly” because it will utilize less materials than standard construction. Ruijssenaars said, “It’s just like a normal printer. But instead of putting ink onto paper, we are putting a liquid onto sand which solidifies wherever the liquid has been spread.” Ruijssenaars 3D-printed a bench shaped like the future Landscape House; it was installed in Amsterdam earlier this year. The scale of the bench is one fifteenth of what the future structure will be. If all goes according to plan, the Landscape House will comprise 12,000 square feet. Universe Architecture hopes the building will be used to house sculptures or other artwork. They aim to launch the house as an expo space in Amsterdam in 2017. Via Inverse and Phys.org Images via Universe Architecture Facebook

French company Le FabShop has come up with a great way to make fruit and vegetables fun for kids. They have just released 14 3D-printable components that transform potatoes, carrots, eggplants and apples into planes, four-wheelers, helicopters and submarines. These accessories, called Open Toys, are open source and can be downloaded for free, then printed and attached to your kid’s favorite – or not so favorite — fruit and veggies. Read the rest of Le FabShop’s DIY 3D-Printable Accessories Transform Fruit and Vegetables into Fun Toys Permalink | Add to del.icio.us | digg Post tags: 3d printed toys , 3D printing , 3d printing technology , DIY toys , le Fabshop , makerbot , open source design , Paris , toys , vegetable toys

Comments Off on New Technology Lets You Design and Print Your New Home on Mars in Just 24 Hours

The idea of living on Mars is no longer just the stuff of science fiction. In fact, one way or another, humans will likely be hanging out on the red planet within the next few decades. But landing there and living there are two very different propositions because, at current prices, it costs anywhere from $100,000 to $200,000 to get one measly kilogram of building material onto Mars. It’s a good thing that Elon Musk is planning on building a city there, because no one else will be able to afford to. Unless, of course, you could just do what NASA plans on doing and download, print and build your own Martian home in just 24 hours. Missing Attachment Missing Attachment Missing Attachment Read the rest of New Technology Lets You Design and Print Your New Home on Mars in Just 24 Hours Permalink | Add to del.icio.us | digg Post tags: 3D printed homes on Mars , 3D printed house , 3d printing house , 3d printing technology , contour crafting , Contour Crafting 3D home , Contour Crafting 3D printing , Contour Crafting building , homes on Mars , living on Mars , Mars living , NASA 3d printing , NASA printed house , printed house